A Beccles man who sexually assaulted two schoolgirls has been jailed for four years.

Sentencing Jonathan Robinson, 66, Judge David Goodin said: “You were plainly in the grip of something you couldn’t control.”

Robinson, of Darby Road, admitted one offence of indecent assault and two offences of sexually assaulting a child under 13.

In addition to jailing Robinson, Judge Goodin made him the subject of a sexual harm prevention order and ordered him to sign the sex offenders’ register. Both orders will run indefinitely.

Lindsay Cox, prosecuting, told Ipswich Crown Court that the offences came to light after one of the victims told her mother that she had a secret and then told her that Robinson had “tickled her privates”.

When Robinson was questioned about what the girl said he accepted he had “crossed the line” but accused the girl of being a flirt.

Andrew Thompson, for Robinson, said his client had no previous convictions and the offences were out of character.